7 lesser-known ways vitamin B12 deficiency can affect your health

It is a common belief that a balanced diet can give your body the much-needed dose of essential vitamins and minerals, but is it actually true? Well, the answer depends on the absorption of nutrients from the food we consume and how there are certain nutrients that are not easily obtained as well as absorbed by the body, which often leads to deficiency. One such quintessential nutrient is vitamin B12, which plays a vital role in the functioning of our body, nerves and brain. Here are 7 ways in which the deficiency of this nutrient can affect overall health and well-being.
What is vitamin B12?
There’s no denying that vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is a crucial water-soluble vitamin that plays a pivotal role in the production of red blood cells, DNA synthesis, and the proper functioning of the nervous system. This nutrient is often found in certain animal-based and fortified foods and grains. While most people are familiar with the common symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, such as fatigue, anemia, and numbness, the deficiency can also have lesser-known effects on physical as well as mental health. Here’s how its deficiency can affect health; read on to find out…
Memory loss
Vitamin B12 is essential for the health of the nervous system. Deficiency can cause mental problems like forgetfulness, confusion, and trouble concentrating. Eventually, it can simulate dementia or Alzheimer's disease, particularly in older people. Since B12 plays a critical role in the development of myelin, the nerve sheath, its deficiency can cause degeneration of the nerves and impair mental acuity and intellectual capacity.

Depression
Low B12 levels are associated with risk for mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. B12 is necessary for the synthesis of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that controls mood. Deficiency can interfere with this process and cause sadness, irritability, or clinical depression. In others, B12 supplementation has been shown to lift mood in patients with depression who are deficient in the vitamin.
Eye health
B12 deficiency can also affect eye health, specifically the optic nerve. Optic neuropathy, or optic nerve damage, is a disease that has been found to be caused by low B12 levels. It can lead to eye symptoms of blurred vision, double vision, and permanent vision loss if not treated. Early detection and supplementation could potentially prevent further eye problems.
Muscle weakness and joint pain
Deficiency of vitamin B12 can make muscles weak and may cause weakness of muscles without any apparent cause. As B12 is involved in red blood cell formation and nerve function, a deficiency can cause difficulty with coordination and balance. In addition, deficiency of this vitamin may cause inflammation and pain in joints, particularly in elderly people.

Digestive symptoms and loss of appetite
Gastrointestinal symptoms are another lesser-known effect of B12 deficiency. Lack of B12 may cause persons to feel bloating, constipation, or diarrhea. In others, loss of appetite may be caused, resulting in unexplained weight loss. B12 keeps the digestive system healthy, and when lacking, it may cause an imbalance in gut microbiome, contributing to gastrointestinal discomfort.
Heart palpitations
If the body is deficient in sufficient B12, the production of red blood cells is affected, and anemia results. The signs and symptoms can manifest as palpitation of the heart, shortness of breath, and dizziness. As the body attempts to compensate for the decreased oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, the heart works harder, and thus these signs and symptoms result. With long-term use without treatment, cardiovascular stress can result.
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Jaundiced skin
Vitamin B12 deficiency may lead to color changes in your skin. One of the observable signs is pale or jaundiced skin, which is a result of anemia. When the body lacks sufficient B12 to form healthy red blood cells, the resulting insufficient oxygenated blood may lead to pale and dull skin. Red blood cell breakdown may also release a pigment known as bilirubin, which may lead to yellowing of the skin and eyes.